NINA IS HOME!!! Just a day after arriving into Chicago from Thailand … Sweet little Nina joined the Birch family from Lonsdale, MN.

Niki had become aware of the horrors of the SE Asia dog meat trade and was moved to offer her home to a lucky survivor. She wanted to show the dog a happy new life in order to allow them to put the horrors of the past behind them. ISDF started discussions with Niki a couple months ago. This Saturday the family made the long 8 hour drive to Chicago to meet Nina.

It was love at first sight by all. Nina eagerly greeted the Birch family with tail wags and kisses. It was unanimous that Nina would be the newest family member.

A wonderful new chapter has begun for Nina and Niki tells me she is adjusting wonderfully to her new home.

Thank you to Elfe for caring for Nina for the past year and working so hard to ensure she had a better life. Most importantly thank you to Niki and Andy Birch for opening your hearts and home to Nina.

Pre-Adoption Post

My name is Nina and I am so excited to come to the USA to find my forever home!

I am a spayed female dog, 3 years old and weighing 26 lbs/12 kgs, who survived the brutal and illegal southeast Asian dog meat trade. After being rescued, I was sent to Nakhon Phanom, an overcrowded government livestock center where dogs lived almost literally on top of dogs – there were so many of us who were ‘saved’, only to have nowhere good to go! I was one of the luckiest ones – a kind overseas supporter sponsored me out of there, thanks to photos posted online. I flew to Elfesworld dog sanctuary on Koh Samui (Samui Island), Thailand and arrived at what was supposed to be my forever home on December 31, 2013 – the eve of not just the new year, but my new life.

I live here now – lucky me! And luckier still, I am one of Elfe’s dogs who can boast of having a “fairy godmother” – kind Anke Laier of Germany has been my monthly sponsor since I arrived, supporting my food and medical bills.

However, although Elfesworld is a lovely place for its fortunate inhabitants, I am not faring well here. And Elfe – mama to all 650 of us – knows that I cannot realize my true potential until I find a home to call my very own.

Elfe describes me as super affectionate and sweet, a people-lover who constantly craves human affection. However, though I am generally good with other dogs, I have never been able to stay with any dog group at the shelter for long. Something about me attracts negative attention from the other dogs, so I spend my days hiding under benches. When I do come out – in search of affection from Elfe and visitors – I am fearful of the other dogs, and for good reason – I am often bullied, forcing me to retreat back to my safe places.

Elfe and her staff consider me among the most urgent of her dogs in need of placement as this situation is very dangerous. There are so many of us and not enough pairs of eyes and hands around to keep me safe at all times. But I am so sweet and would do terribly if confined in a small cage. Because of my situation, Elfe and my USA godmother, Anke, fret daily over my fate. Much time has passed, and although visitors and locals love me, none step forward to adopt me. My only chance for a real life with a family and home seems to be overseas.

I already made a name for myself from the masses crowded into the government livestock center because I clung to any human visitor – you can see this in my photos. Someone must have cared for me before I was sold or stolen into the meat trade and I spend my days longing for someone to love once again, for the rest of my life. I would be a wonderful girl for some lucky family, and if you choose me, I promise, I will never disappoint you in any way.

Are you the adoptive angels I am destined to live with forever? Can you help make my dreams come true?

Thanks for reading my story.
With highest of hopes,
Nina

If you are interested in adopting Nina, please contact Dawn Trimmel at trimmel@usa.net or 414-426-4148.

  • Hometown Koh Samui, THAILAND
  • Age/Weight 3 yrs/26 lbs
  • Gender Female spayed
  • Rescuer Elfesworld